Grocery store dysfunction

natalia50ish2014 · June 2016

I have been on so many different diets , no carbs, low carbs, pale, gluten free etc so now when I go in the grocery store I don't know what to buy or do from years of dysfunctional eating. Any suggestions on how to shop functionally instead of dysfunctional?

seska422 · June 2016

Make a list before you go and stick to that list.

tmarple93 · June 2016

I kinda had this problem as well and it wasn't getting me anywhere. There's so much information about diets and what works best all over the Internet and TV it's really hard to know what's best. But honestly all it comes down too is cals in/cals out. You can eat whatever you like as long as your burning more calories then consuming. If you feel better on a higher carb diet then do that, if you feel better and have more energy on low carbs then do that. Do whatever you want just burn more energy then you consume

personally I like to fill most of calories with veggies and fruits and lean meats but that's just because I enjoy them and they contain alot of nutrients and make me feel good. Sometimes I eat cheetos, sometimes I eat cookies but I just weigh it all out and log everything I eat and make sure it's in my calorie limit.

I've lost ten pounds so far and broke through a plateau (but really I was just over eating becuase I was trying to do all these suggested diets I read about and was never full) you got this!

PaulaWallaDingDong · June 2016

If you aren't following any of those plans now, none of that matters. Buy enough protein and veggies (ones you like), bread, condiments, and cereal if you eat them, and maybe some kind of treat, then go home, log onto MFP and start playing food tetris.

sparklyglitterbomb · June 2016

I tend to mostly shop the perimeter: produce, meats, seafood, dairy. I occasionally wander to the frozen veggie section to pick up things to have on hand.

And like seska422 said: make a list.

French_Peasant · June 2016

What are your goals and what do you like to eat?

endlessfall16 · June 2016

For dieting, I always keep my fridge and kitchen counter top stocked up with eggs, bread, cheese, salad, various nuts, dried fruits, coffee, tea...

For non dieting meals, I practically shop for anything I find interesting.

vespiquenn · June 2016

Skip the diets and eat at a calorie deficit. Enter your info in MFP, buy yourself a food scale, and eat what you want while staying in that deficit. No gimmicks, dysfunction, and denying yourself certain foods or macros

kevinhparker550 · June 2016

I tried Whole 30 twice and lost a good amount of weoght but then gained it all back. Had no weight loss when I went gluten free. Calorie counting daily is the only thing that's worked for me. Calorie count and ultimately make a goal to decrease fat and carbs. Avoid simple carbs at all costs. Don't eat processed food as much as you can help. Make a big part of your daily calories come from veggies, lean meat, and sprinkle in dairy and a liiiittttlllleeeee bit of fruit. And don't forget it's a lifestyle not something you can just jump into and be awesome at. Losing weight and keeping it off is hard work...for everyone.

Calliope610 · June 2016

My standard grocery list:

baby spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots for salads, fresh produce/fruit when in season and cheap
boneless, skinless chicken breasts - bulk package, turkey breast deli lunch meat, occasional lean ground beef
whole milk, full fat cottage cheese, greek yogurt, havarti and/or muenster cheese slices, flavored coffee creamer, real butter, eggs
lo-carb tortilla wraps, pasta, couscous
unsweetened applesauce, canned black beans, chick peas
frozen broccoli, cauliflower, other veggies, frozen blueberries
diet Coke, zero calorie flavored sparkling waters, Crystal light, etc
occasionally some ice cream or cheese cake

ETA: hummus, I can't believe I forgot the hummus

gothchiq · June 2016

I second the "shop the perimeter" advice. That's where the higher nutrition/lower calorie options are. Which adds up to staying satisfied longer when you eat them. protein and fiber help keep you full.

natalia50ish2014 · June 2016

Thanks fiber note to self

natalia50ish2014 · June 2016

My goal is to eat when I am hungry and not overeat when I eat and replace stress eating with other coping skills, I like fruit, not alot of veggies I don't like, meat seafood popcorn but have difficult time not overeating with carbs, sushi. Would like to lose 50

endlessfall16 · June 2016

natalia50ish2014 wrote: »

My goal is to eat when I am hungry and not overeat when I eat and replace stress eating with other coping skills, I like fruit, not alot of veggies I don't like, meat seafood popcorn but have difficult time not overeating with carbs, sushi. Would like to lose 50

That is great. My approach is kinda like that, too. " eat when I am hungry" and you may want to add pay attention to energy level. There's no reason to eat like a construction worker when your work is behind a desk!

MrPositivity · June 2016

Also, don't shop on an empty stomach. You'll be tempted by all the goodies and other bad stuff which you might even open as soon as you are out of the store or on the way home!

Lounmoun · June 2016

Plan meals. Make a grocery list. Eat food you like.
Log food you eat. Stick to your calorie goal.

French_Peasant · June 2016

natalia50ish2014 wrote: »

My goal is to eat when I am hungry and not overeat when I eat and replace stress eating with other coping skills, I like fruit, not alot of veggies I don't like, meat seafood popcorn but have difficult time not overeating with carbs, sushi. Would like to lose 50

One of the things I struggle with is being organized as I try to cook more. Here is a shot of the list I carry in my purse, with the ongoing things we always have on hand but are getting low; a very short area for splurges (the ez cheese is NOT for me but all the gelato is!) and then a column for the recipes I am planning for the week. I try to carry my lunch every day, so having simple, filling things like cheese sticks or guacamole packs is important, and I already know how those fit in my calorie budget. I also like to have frozen lunches on hand as I will make a large recipe of pot roast and portion it out, but can't eat the same thing day after day so this is an easy way to break it up.

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but sometimes I just feel hopeless when it comes to tackling the grocer, usually due to a complete lack of time, and this helps keep me on track and focused on the right kinds of calories.

It is also very important for me not to shop when I am hungry!

Cherimoose · June 2016

gothchiq wrote: »

I second the "shop the perimeter" advice. That's where the higher nutrition/lower calorie options are.

The perimeter of stores here have cheese, bacon, potato salad, chocolate milk, hamburger meat, and farmed fish. The center aisles have canned wild salmon & sardines, beans, oats, brown rice, and other healthy foods, Just saying.

Wynterbourne · June 2016

I second the 'Never shop on an empty stomach.' I almost always eat before shopping. Easier to stick to a list if you're full.

85Cardinals · June 2016

When I get weak and confused, about to buy something bad, I just fill my shopping cart with okra and check out.

CattOfTheGarage · June 2016

What's all this about "perimeter" and "centre aisles"? Do American supermarkets have standardised aisle layouts or something? They're all different here.

If you've suffered from dysfunctional eating, the most important thing is probably to learn to stop avoiding certain foods. Think of what you REALLY want to eat, put it on your list, buy it, eat it, and see that nothing bad happens . I really think absolute food rules are a big cause of craving and binging, and if you can convince yourself that no food is bad then you'll be able to learn what foods keep you satisfied and allow you to stick to your eating goals.

Some great advice on here for how to shop well, I would take most of it on board (except for the "perimeter aisles" thing, pick aisles based on what's in them, not how close to the wall they are!)

Grocery store dysfunction

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